Light apparatus for illuminating a compact computer video screen

ABSTRACT

A lighting assembly for compact computer devices such as, for example, hand held video games utilizes a light source directed away from the display screen of the compact computer device and a reflective surface selectively positionable over the display screen to intercept and reflect the light emanating from the light source and redirect it toward the display screen. The directing of the light away from the display screen and subsequent reflecting back toward the display screen results in an evenly diffused light being applied to the display screen, while completely eliminating the otherwise experienced hot spots or dark spots common in prior art light assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to hand held video games, and moreparticularly, to a releasably attachable light assembly for the handheld video game which enables game playing in low light conditions.

2. Description of the Related Art

Compact computers and video game devices having video viewing screensare becoming more and more popular and typically comprise hand-heldportable, battery-operated devices. The viewing screen is typically aliquid crystal display (LCD) that is generally flat and displaysinformation and or provides the screen for playing video games. Suchcompact computers and video games may include, but are not limited to:calculators, computer video games, lap top computers, and othercomputers where a variety of software is employed. In particular,compact video games, such as the compact video game systems known asGAME BOY™, GAME BOY POCKET™ and GAME BOY COLOR™ (Trademarks of Nintendoof America), are completely self-sustained video game systems which maybe operated by interchangeably employing a collection from a library ofsoftware game packs. These Nintendo video game systems provide acompact, self-contained, battery-operated, portable hand-held computerwith a cross key joy stick (directional-pad or D-pad) to operate thegame, start and select buttons, action buttons and an LCD-type screen,together with volume controls so as to display and enable the user todisplay images and play games.

While video display screens are employed and typically include a flatLCD-type screen, such LCD-type display screens are often difficult toobserve by the user in partial or low light conditions, such as, forexample, automobiles, planes, trains, buses, and the like due to thelack of illumination on the LCD screen to permit suitable contrastduring use.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,091,832 and 5,325,280 show a light apparatus for usewith compact computer screens. As shown and described, the body includesan open video space designed to be the same size as the LCD video screenof the compact computer apparatus. The body includes a pair of sloped orangled white colored side panels and a top and bottom side panel and thewhite or light colored extending directly generally perpendicular to thevideo screen rather than sloped as illustrated for the side panels. Thetop side panel is integral with and extends from the bottom moldedsection of the body when the body sections are matingly engaged to formthe body, the top panel with the panels on the top section then form arectangular, open video viewing space of the apparatus.

The light apparatus includes a pair of light bulbs placed on either sideof sloping panels and which side panels also include a short, solid,upward extending light shield so as to prevent the direct glare of thelight bulbs onto the LCD screen and to provide for indirect lightingthrough reflection on the light-colored side panels onto the LCD viewingscreen.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,117,339 and 5,165,779 disclose combined light andmagnifier devices for hand-held computers with video screens. Each ofthese patents show a battery operated light assembly that is mounted toa separate assembly mounted adjacent the view screen and spaced from themagnifier lens. The devices shown in these patents are adapted toprovide a screen magnifier while also providing additional light to thescreen for playing in low light conditions.

Unfortunately, the use of an LCD screen in these hand-held video gamedevices makes the illumination of the same difficult. The primary reasonfor this difficulty is due to the fact that the plastic cover to theactual LCD screen is generally of a high-gloss finish, and as such has atendency to reflect light. This reflection of light primarily occurswhen the light shines substantly directly onto the screen, and thus, thehigh-gloss screen cover prevents the light from penetrating the coverand thereby illuminating the LCD screen.

In all of the aforementioned patents, the lighting assemblies utilizevarious different light sources that are generally directed toward thescreen. The use of white or light colored frame sides is implemented inan effort to diffuse the light before projected onto the screen,however, neither the white or light colored sides of the frame preventspotting or “hot spots” caused by the illumination of the light sourceimmediately adjacent the viewing screen or even worse, when positionedso as to project light directly at the viewing screen. As such, thelight source, in the area of disposition, causes a glare spot or “hotspot” on the high-gloss glass cover to the actual LCD display screen.Thus, the user's view is obstructed and not increased in these hot spotareas. Furthermore, dark spots are created on the screen where theadditional light is not effectively distributed across the screen. Inview of these drawbacks of the prior art patents, it would be desirableto provide a lighting assembly for a hand-held computer gaming devicethat does not have any screen “hot spots” or dark spots, and actuallyworks to increase the viewing of the display screen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improvedlighting assembly for hand-held video games that does not cause “hotspot” or other glaring effects from the use of light source toilluminate the LCD display.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an improvedlighting assembly for hand-held video games that effectively utilizesreflection techniques to efficiently illuminate the LCD display screenof the game device.

This and other objects are achieved in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention in which a light assembly for use in enhancing theview of a compact computer video screen includes a base portion adaptedto fit over a top edge of the compact computer device. An upwardextension is pivotally connected to the base portion and a reflectorhousing is pivotally connected to the upward extension. A light sourceis disposed within a recess in the upward extension and positioned so asto direct light away from the video screen. A reflector is disposed onthe underside of the reflector housing and is adapted to reflect lightfrom the light source downward toward the video screen. Through thevariable positioning of the upward extension and reflector housing (viathe pivotal connections) the user can selectively adjust the amount oflight reflected down onto the video display screen.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description considered in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that thedrawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as adefinition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should bemade to the appended claims. It should be further understood that thedrawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwiseindicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate thestructures and procedures described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings wherein like reference numerals denote similar elementsthroughout the several views:

FIG. 1a is a perspective view of the game light assembly according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the game light assembly with the gameplaying apparatus shown in phantom;

FIG. 1c is a perspective view of the game light assembly according toanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1d is a bottom view of the game light assembly according to theembodiment of FIG. 1c;

FIG. 1e is a bottom view of the game light assembly according to anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1f is a top view of the game light assembly according to theembodiment of FIG. 1e;

FIG. 2 is a front view of game light assembly according to an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 3a is a side view of the game light assembly according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3b is a side view of the game light assembly according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3c is a perspective view of the base portion of the game lightassembly according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the game light assembly according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the game light assembly according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the game light assembly in an extendedflattened position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of game accessory power supply connectorfor Compact video game devices according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the game accessory power supply connectoraccording to the invention;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the game accessory power supply connectoraccording to the invention;

FIG. 10a is top perspective view of the game accessory power supplyconnector for compact video game devices according to another embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 10b is a bottom perspective view of the game accessory power supplyconnector for compact video game devices according to another embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the game accessory power supply connectordepicted in FIG. 10a as disposed on a compact video game device shown inphantom; and

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the game accessory power supplyconnector taken along lines XII—XII of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1a and 1 b show the light assembly 10 according to an embodimentof the invention. Light assembly 10 includes a base portion 12 adaptedto be releasably attached to a hand held video game device 5 and anupper portion having an upward extension 14 and reflector housing 16.According to one embodiment, the base portion 12 has a left side 24 thatincludes a power supply plug 28 which is adapted and positioned to beinserted into the external link port of the hand held video game device.Power supply plug 28 engages the external link port of the hand heldvideo game device 5 when disposed in its operable position (shown inFIG. 1b) and thereby electrically connects the light assembly 10 to thebattery power supply of the game device 5. In this manner, the lightassembly 10 does not need its own power supply or batteries. In oneembodiment, an on/off power switch 50 can be provided on the baseportion 12 which allows the user to selectively turn on and off thelight assembly 10. In another embodiment, there is no power switch onbase portion 12 and the light assembly is powered on and off with theswitching on and off of the game device. Those of ordinary skill in theart understand that the electrical connections made within the lightassembly and the manner of manufacturing the same may be made by anysuitable known type of electrical connections and manufacturing methods.Light assembly 10 is preferably made of molded plastic to dimensionallyfit the Game Boy™, but may also be made of any suitable known materialcapable of being shaped into a desired style.

FIGS. 1c-1 e and FIG. 4 show various other embodiments where the lightassembly 10 includes its own power source. Referring to FIGS. 1c and1 d,a battery compartment 25 is provided within base portion 12 and includesan access cover 27 that is releaseably connected to base portion 12 witha snap or other suitable connection. The size and type of battery orbatteries 29 contained within the compartment 25 is a matter of designchoice.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the type ofbattery and size thereof can be modified without departing from thespirit of the present invention. FIGS. 1e and 1 f show the dispositionof the battery compartment 25 within reflector housing 16. In thisembodiment, the reflector 18 is connected to or integrally formed withthe compartment cover 31. Thus, the battery(ies) 29 are covered by thecompartment cover 31 and are thereby contained within housing 16underneath the reflector 18. FIG. 4 shows another embodiment where thebattery compartment 25 is disposed within upward extension 14 andcovered by a compartment cover 33. Compartment cover 33 is preferablymolded to conform to the shape and texture of the upward extension 14and thereby is concealed from obvious view. Those of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate that the actual location of the batterycompartment 25 within the light assembly 10 is also a matter of designchoice.

Light assembly 10 is disclosed in the style of a cobra snake. Those ofskill in the art will recognize that the concepts and technologydisclosed herein may be applied to a light assembly of any style andshape. Thus, the cobra style depicted herein is only one exemplaryembodiment style of the light assembly of the present invention. Inaddition, the lighting system and technology of the present inventioncan be used for other applications such as, for example, a book light.

The upward extension 14 includes a recess 22 adapted to receive andhouse a light source 20 that is directed upward away from the displayscreen 7 of the game device 5. Light source 20 can be any suitable knownlight source such as, for example, an incandescent bulb, a lightemitting diode (LED), a directional LED, etc. A directional LED providessubstantially collimated beam of light that is easily directable towarda particular surface. Those of skill in the art will recognize that thetype of light source may be a matter of design choice and may be changedwithout departing from the spirit of this disclosure. In one preferredembodiment, the light source includes a lens or other means forfacilitating the directability or focusing of the light toward thereflective surface. In another preferred embodiment, recess 22 is formedby providing an additional cavity 23 (FIG. 3b) that protrudes from thebackside of the upward extension 14. This cavity 23 forms the recess 22on the front side of the upward extension 14.

The base portion 12 of the light assembly 10 includes various integratedextensions 34, 36 and 38 in order to increase its strength and integrityduring attachment and detachment to and from the game device 5. Those ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that other methods and designsfor these portions of base 12 can be altered without departing from thescope of the invention. FIGS. 10a-12 show another embodiment of the baseportion (to be discussed later) that eliminates extensions 34, 36 and 38and provides a stronger design by integrating thicker support ribs andfacia or upper rim 102. The left side 24 of the base portion 12 includesa power supply plug 28 that is positioned so that when light assembly 10slidably engages the top edge of the game device 5 in the directionshown by the arrow in FIG. 1a, power supply plug 28 is inserted into theexternal link port (not shown) of the game device 5. Although theexternal link port of the game device 5 is generally used to link thegame device to another for head-to-head game playing, by designing plug28 to contact select electrical contacts within the link port, lightassembly 10 can utilize the power of the game device (e.g., internal orexternal battery power supplies) to power light source 20. Thus, the useof other additional power supplies or batteries to power the lightassembly are not necessary. In one embodiment (discussed later withresponse to FIGS. 3a -3 c), access to the link port will continue to beprovided while the light assembly 10 is mounted in its operable positionon game device 5. The game device 5 also includes a volume control (notshown) that is disposed adjacent the link port. As such, the left side24 of the base portion 12 is designed so as to not interfere with theoperation of the adjacently positioned volume control dial.

Depending on the particular game device 5, an infrared (IR) window (notshown—e.g., GAME BOY™ and GAME BOY COLOR™) or on/off power switch (notshown—e.g., GAME BOY POCKET™) is disposed on the top edge of the gamedevice. As such, base portion 12 includes a cutout or opening 30 (FIGS.1a, 1 b and 2) positioned so as to accommodate the IR window or on/offswitch on the game device and keep them accessible when light assembly10 is disposed in its operable position.

Referring to FIGS. 1a, 1 b, 3 a, 3 b and 5, during operation lightsource 20 is illuminated and positioned within recess 22 such that thelight emanating therefrom is directed upward toward reflector housing 16and away from display screen 7. As shown in FIG. 5, reflector housing 16includes a substantially flat reflector 18 disposed on the underside ofthe housing. Through the use of hinges 40 and 42, the reflector housing16 and upward extension 14 can be selectively positioned to reflect thelight back down toward the display screen 7 of the game device 5.Reflector 18 can be any suitable known type of reflector such as, forexample, a mirror, reflective mylar, hot stamped chrome plate etc. It isalso contemplated to have reflector 18 integrally formed into theunderside of the reflector housing 16. As mentioned previously, lightsource 20 is directed upward toward reflector 18 on the underside ofhousing 16. As such, the light emanating from light source 20 isreflected downward by the reflector 18 and thereby illuminates thedisplay screen 7 in an even and diffused manner. As shown in FIGS. 3aand 3 b, through the application of hinged connections 40 and 42, theuser can manipulate the angular positions of upward extension 14 andreflector housing 16 to adjust the angular position of reflector 18 withrespect to the light source, and thereby enables the user to increaseand/or decrease the amount of light being acted toward display screen 7corresponding to the angular position of the reflector. In otherembodiments (not shown), hinges 40 and 42 can be eliminated and lightassembly 10 with base portion 12, upward extension 14 and reflectorhousing 16 are predeterminately positioned and molded so as to providethe maximum lighting ability for the display screen 7 of the game device5.

In view of the fact that light assembly 10 can utilize the link port ofthe game device 5 in order to obtain power, a link port 44 (FIGS. 3a and3 b) is provided on the external surface of the base portion 12 so as toprovide the user with all the functionality of such link port while thelight assembly 10 is disposed in its operable position on the gamedevice 5. FIG. 3c shows another embodiment of the positioning of linkport 44 on the external surface of base portion 12. Those of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that the position of the externallyprovided link port 44 can be changed without departing from the spiritof this disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the light assembly 10 and how the baseportion 12 engages the game device 5 according to one preferredembodiment. The right side 26 of base portion 12 includes a small flange52 adapted to engage the corresponding top comer of the game device 5.As described earlier, when base portion 12 is slid onto the top edge ofthe game device (see arrow direction in FIG. 1a) flange 52 snaps overthe top corner edge of the game device. This “snap over” flange 52, inconjunction with the power supply connection 28 with the link port ofthe game device 5, secures the light assembly 10 into its operableposition on the game device. Conversely, the removal of light assembly10 simply requires the user to “un-snap” flange 52 from its securedposition over the top edge and slide the base portion 12 of the lightassembly in the reverse direction of the arrow indicated in FIG. 1a forremoval from the game device 5.

FIG. 6 shows the light assembly 10 in a flattened position over the gamedevice 5. Through the hinged connection 40 of the reflector housing 16with upward extension 14 and the hinged connection 42 of the upwardextension with the base portion 12, the light assembly 10 can beflattened over the game device 5 and screen 7 as shown. This foldingaspect (or unfolding) of the light assembly not only functions to placethe light assembly 10 into a storage position without requiring itsremoval from the game device, but also functions to protect the uppersurface of the game device 5.

FIGS. 7-9 shows a game accessory power supply connector 70 for use withany type of accessory item. The game accessory power supply connector 70can be integrated into any type of accessory item for the game device.It is preferable that the particular type of accessory item be one thatrequires battery power to operate, thus enabling the use of the gamedevice link port as described in several embodiment of the invention.Game accessory power supply connector 70 includes a base portion 71 thatis substantially identical to the base portion 12 of the light assembly10. Briefly, the base portion 71 includes left and right sides 80 and82, respectively, the IR window—on/off switch opening 76, an on/offswitch 74 and the power supply plug 72. Base portion 71 also includes anexternal link port 86 which can be variously positioned on connector 70according to design choice.

The connection of the game accessory power supply connector 70 is alsoidentical to that of the base portion 12 of the light assembly 10. Thus,when the connector 70 is slid onto the top edge of the game device (seearrow direction in FIG. 1a) flange 84 snaps over the top corner edge ofthe game device. This “snap over” flange 84 secures the connector 70into its operable position on the game device. The removal of connector70 is also identical to that of base portion 12 described earlier. FIGS.10a and 10 b show a preferred embodiment for a game accessory powersupply connector 100 according to the invention. Connector 100 has anupper surface 102 on which hinge 106 is disposed for connection to, forexample, the upward extension 14 (FIGS. 1a and 1 b). The rear side 101of connector 100 includes the IR/on/off switch window 110 and theexternal link port 114 is provided on one side. Similar to the flange 52described with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 5, connector 100includes flange 104 adapted to snap over the top corner edge of the gamedevice 5. The upper surface 102 of connector 100 is designed to bethicker than that of the previously discussed embodiments, and as suchthe structural integrity of the connector is substantially increased.Those of ordinary skill will appreciate that other designs forincreasing the overall integrity and strength of the connector can bemade without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Connector 100 engages the game device 5 is a slightly more enhancedmanner than that of the aforementioned embodiments. Referring to FIGS.11 and 12, the game device 5 includes a display screen 7 that is coveredby a glass or plastic panel 9 that is larger than the display screen.Panel 9 meets with the upper edge 11 of the game device 5 and isslightly recessed from this upper edge 11 so as to form a small ledgebetween the panel 9 and edge 11. Connector 100 includes a flange 112extending downward from the upper surface 102 and positioned such thatthe upper surface 102 substantially extends across the upper edge 11 ofthe game device 5 and flange 112 engages over the small ledge formedwith panel 9 and thereby secures connector 100 to the top edge of thegame device 5. An optional on/off switch 116 is also provided.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamentalnovel feature of the invention as applied to preferred embodimentsthereof, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions,changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in theiroperation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intendedthat all combinations of those elements and/or method steps whichperform substantially the same function in substantially the same way toachieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. It isthe intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scopeof the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A light assembly for use in enhancing the view ofa video screen of a compact computer device, the compact computer devicehaving a power supply, an on/off power switch and a link port, thelighting assembly comprising: a housing adapted to fit onto the compactcomputer device; a light source operatively connected to said housingand positioned to direct light away from the video screen; andreflecting means operatively connected to said housing and beingpositioned to reflect the light directed away from the video screen backtoward the video screen.
 2. The light assembly according to claim 1,further comprising: an upward extension having a lower end pivotablyconnected to said housing, an opposing upper end and a recess, saidlight source being disposed within said recess.
 3. The light assemblyaccording to claim 2, wherein said reflecting means comprises areflector housing having a flat reflector disposed on an undersidethereof, said reflector housing being pivotably connected to said upperend of said upward extension.
 4. The light assembly according to claim1, further comprising: power supply means for supplying power to saidlight source; and means for securing said housing to a top edge of thecompact computer device.
 5. The light assembly according to claim 4,wherein said power supply means comprises a battery disposed in one ofsaid base portion, said reflector housing and said upward extension. 6.The light assembly according to claim 4, wherein said power supply meanscomprises a power supply plug disposed on an internal side of saidhousing and adapted to engage the link port of the compact computerdevice, wherein said power supply plug obtains power for said lightsource through said link port.
 7. The light assembly according to claim4, wherein said housing further comprises a power on/off switchelectrically connected to said power supply means and said light sourcefor selectively providing power to said light source.
 8. The lightassembly according to claim 4, wherein said means for securing comprisesa flange extending from said housing and adapted to snap over a topcomer of the top edge of the compact computer device.
 9. The lightassembly according to claim 4, wherein the compact computer devicefurther comprises a cover panel covering the video screen and an upperedge extending from said cover panel to the top edge, said cover panelbeing slightly recessed from said upper edge to form a ledge, said meansfor securing comprising an elongated upper surface having a downwardextending flange adapted to snap over the upper edge of said compactcomputer device and engage the ledge formed between said upper edge andthe cover panel.
 10. The light assembly according to claim 6, furthercomprising an external link port disposed on an external surfacethereof, said external link port providing another link port while saidpower supply plug is disposed within the line port of the compactcomputer device.
 11. The light assembly according to claim 1, whereinsaid light source comprises an incandescent light bulb.
 12. The lightassembly according to claim 1, wherein said light source comprises alight emitting diode.
 13. The light assembly according to claim 12,wherein said light emitting diode is a directional light emitting diode.14. The light assembly according to claim 3, wherein said reflectorcomprises a mirror.
 15. The light assembly according to claim 3, whereinsaid reflector comprises reflective mylar.
 16. The light assemblyaccording to claim 3, wherein said reflector comprises hot stampedchrome.
 17. The light assembly according to claim 3, wherein saidreflector is integrally formed with said reflector housing.
 18. A lightassembly for use in enhancing the view of a video screen of a compactcomputer device, the compact computer device having a power supply, anon/off power switch and a link port adapted to connect the compactcomputer device to another compact computer device, the lightingassembly comprising: a base portion adapted to fit over a top edge ofthe compact computer device; an upward extension having a lower endpivotably connect to the base portion and an opposing upper end; a lightsource disposed within said upward extension and directed away from thevideo screen; a reflector housing having an underside and beingpivotably connected to the upper end of the upward extension; andreflecting means disposed on the underside of said reflector housing forreflecting light from said light source downward toward the videoscreen.
 19. The light assembly according to claim 18, furthercomprising: power supply means for supplying power to said light source;and means for securing said base portion to the top edge of the compactcomputer device.
 20. The light assembly according to claim 19, whereinsaid power supply means comprises a battery disposed in one of said baseportion, said reflector housing and said upward extension.
 21. The lightassembly according to claim 19, wherein said power supply meanscomprises a power supply plug disposed on an internal side of said baseportion and adapted to engage the link port of the compact computerdevice, wherein said power supply plug obtains power for said lightsource though said link port.
 22. The light assembly according to claim19, further comprising a power on/off switch electrically connected tosaid power supply means and said light source for selectively providingpower to said light source.
 23. The light assembly according to claim19, wherein said means for securing comprises a flange extending fromsaid base portion and adapted to snap over a top comer of the top edgeof the compact computer device.
 24. The light assembly according toclaim 19, wherein the compact computer device further comprises a coverpanel covering the video screen and an upper edge extending from saidcover panel to the top edge, said cover panel being slightly recessedfrom said upper edge to form a ledge, said means for securing comprisingan elongated upper surface having a downward extending flange adapted tosnap over the upper edge of said compact computer device and engage theledge formed between said upper edge and the cover panel.
 25. The lightassembly according to claim 18, wherein said upward extension furthercomprises a recess, said light source being disposed within said recess.26. The light assembly according to claim 18, wherein said light sourcecomprises one selected from a group consisting of an incandescent lightbulb, a light emitting diode and a directional light emitting diode. 27.The light assembly according to claim 18, wherein said reflecting meanscomprises a flat reflector.
 28. The light assembly according to claim18, wherein said reflecting means comprises a mirror.
 29. The lightassembly according to claim 18, wherein said reflecting means comprisesreflective mylar.
 30. The light assembly according to claim 18, fliercomprising an external link port for providing the user with anotherlink port while the light assembly uses the link port of the compactcomputer device.